President of Latvia Egils Levits began his official visit to Sweden today with a remote meeting with diaspora and state award ceremony.
President Levits presented the Class III Order of the Three Stars to Royal Library of Sweden Chief Academic Librarian for Research, member of the National Library of Latvia Scientific Board and member of the Scientific Publication Editorial Committee Dr. hist. Jānis Andrejs Krēsliņš for his lasting and outstanding contribution to research and promotion of Latvian culture and history.
President of Latvia also presented the Class III Cross of Recognition to forestry expert and chief expert of Swedish wood measurement, statistics and digital services company ‘Biometria’ Claes Anders Rixon for his active input and contribution to development of Latvia’s forest sector and economy, and special role in creating independent wood measurement and statistics system in Latvia.
President focused his remote address to Latvian diaspora in Sweden on historical role of diaspora in winning the de facto and de iure statehood and protecting continuity of Latvian State throughout occupation. Egils Levits mentioned all the Latvians living in various parts of the world: ‘Our diaspora today has a two-fold mission: maintain Latvian identity and offer its experience and knowledge to Latvia. Their efforts over the past three decades have given a major push to the development of our country.’
Today, President of Latvia also met with Ambassador Jan Eliasson, Chair of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s Governing Board and former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations.